Vaccine Special

MAGGIE THROUP MP

Member of Parliament for Erewash

Today’s bumper E-News provides the latest information on the pandemic, an update on the roll out of the Vaccination Programme and information on the newly launched Parliamentary Export Programme, along with a few other snippets. Please scroll down to make sure you don’t miss any of this important information.

Dear Resident,

With the fantastic news that the first 4 priority groups have now been offered their vaccination, there is real hope that we will soon be able to start the process of easing restrictions and I eagerly await details of the Government’s roadmap when it’s unveiled by the Prime Minister next week.

However, having monitored the rate of infection across Erewash closely over the course of the pandemic, I am concerned that case numbers remain stubbornly high and are not reducing at the rate seen in other parts of Derbyshire.

I raised this with the Director of Public Health at Derbyshire County Council, who indicated that it’s likely due to household mixing, resulting in community spread. This is worrying as, under the current restrictions, it is against the regulations for households to mix, even for a very short time.

Whilst many in our community have made an heroic effort to comply with the rules throughout the pandemic, I am sure residents will share my disappointment that some appear to be flouting the rules.

For the duration of the National Lockdown, no one should leave, or be outside their home except for a very limited number of reasons, full details here: https://www.maggiethroup.com/covid-19-advice

Next Wednesday, 24th February, a Community Testing site will open at the West Park Leisure Centre in Long Eaton. This is in addition to the one located at the William Gregg VC Leisure Centre, Hands Road, Heanor. One in three people do not develop symptoms yet can still pass on the virus. Therefore, these testing centres are great for those without symptoms and are especially useful if you cannot work from home and therefore have a higher risk of unknowingly passing on the virus.

Please remember, if you do have symptoms, always call 119 or go online to www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test to book a test.

I fully appreciate the immense challenges that families and businesses across Erewash continue to face, with many people not being able to see their loved ones for nearly a year. However, failure to comply with the regulations risks a slower unlocking of society and will tragically cost more people their lives.

With best wishes,

Maggie Throup MP
Member of Parliament for Erewash

Vaccines Update

The Vaccination Programme continues to be a monumental success, limited only by the supply at this stage.

At the time of writing, over 17 million people have received their first vaccine dose, including everyone over the age of 70, as well as those people classified as extremely clinically vulnerable and those working in health and social care settings.

The priority groups for vaccination have been set by an independent group of experts, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Its decision is based on the relative risk of being vaccinated, catching the virus and of suffering serious complications or dying from COVID-19.

The focus will now turn to all over 50s in addition to adult carers and those with underlying health conditions such as diabetes and severe asthma, before being rolled out to the rest of the adult population in the second phase of the Programme later in the spring.

When it is your turn, you will receive an invitation to be vaccinated from either your GP or the NHS central booking service. Each jab takes us one step closer to regaining our freedom and so I would urge you to make your appointment to be vaccinated as soon as you are asked to do so.

Did You Know?

Cold Weather Payments have been triggered for Erewash residents who are in receipt of selected benefits. The DWP’s Cold Weather Payment pages provide further information for claimants.

The alert was triggered on 8/2/2021 for the period 7/2/2021 to 13/2/2021 and £25 will be paid to eligible residents within Erewash.

Ilkeston’s Scala Cinema has received a Business Sustainability grant of £115,385.00 from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. This is in addition to a grant of £9997.00 previously received to help make the cinema COVID-19 safe.

Long Eaton’s bid for up to £25m to regenerate the town has now been submitted to Government and the outcome is eagerly awaited.

The brownfield site at Stanton has now been bought by private investors who have exciting plans for its future, including making full use of the rail spur which serves the site.

Businesses in Erewash that employ 50 or more people are now eligible for workplace testing. This can be ordered at https://www.gov.uk/get-workplace-coronavirus-tests

Parliamentary Export Programme

Calling all businesses –

Would you like to learn about how you can grow your business by finding new international customers?
Would you like to know what support is available to help you export?
Would you like to interact with other businesses in Erewash and learn from their experiences?

Then the Parliamentary Export Programme is for you!

Sponsored by the Department for International Trade (DIT), join me on Friday 26th March 2021 from 11:30 am to 12:30pm as I chair the first of a three-part series of online sessions that will give you the guidance and tools you need to export and grow your business internationally, taking advantage of the new trade agreements across the world.

The webinar will include updates from HMRC and DIT on trading and opportunities after Brexit. Panellists will include a local experienced exporter, an International Trade Adviser and Export Finance expert.

These sessions are relevant to all businesses, whether you have never exported, exported in the past or are a current exporter.

To register your interest in this series, visit https://eu.eventscloud.com/website/3734/ and fill out the registration form. Following this, you will receive a link to join 48 hours before the event.

I very much look forward to seeing you on the day.

Office Update

In accordance with Government guidance, all of my office staff continue to work from home. But this has not stopped us working to support you - my office can still be contacted by email at [email protected] or by telephoning 0115 930 0521.

Due to the volume of work, I continue to operate a triage system rather than responding in a chronological way. So please do be patient if you are waiting for a response, but I’m sure you’ll understand that there needs to be a priority system in these unprecedented times.

Promoted by Ian F. Gutteridge, on behalf of Maggie Throup MP, both of Unit 2 The Old Co-Op, South Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 5SG.